Author and editor Shelly Lowenkopf spoke to the Screenwriters Association of Santa Barbara in February 2012. He used examples from literature to explain how characters in modern day stories need to be multidimensional.

Literary Agent Toni Lopopolo suggests that learning acting techniques can assist in character development. Book editor Shelly Lowenkopf talks about setting your own self aside in order to become your character.

Literary Agent Toni Lopopolo reads an excerpt from Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell as an example of good narrative voice in a novel. Book editor Shelly Lowenkopf talks about how narrative comes from the character, not the author. In other words, “Stay the f* out of your own novel.”